The UK Government has expressed regret at the failure by EU Ministers to agree improvements to the welfare of farm animals in transit. The UK was one of a number of countries that felt the package of proposed measures did not go far enough.

Speaking in Luxembourg, the UK's Animal Welfare Minister Ben Bradshaw said:

"I am bitterly disappointed at the lost opportunity but the proposed changes would not have improved animal welfare significantly and in some areas would have made matters worse. That is why the UK should not support them.

"The UK was seeking shorter journey times, more space and better ventilation, but the gap between countries was too great," he added.

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